Automatic fire-extinguisher



(N6 Model.)

vE. H. ASHCROFT.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER. No. 254,253. Patented Feb. 28.1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDl/VARD H. ASHCROFT, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISH ER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 254,253, dated February 28, 1882.

Application filed July 5, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD H. Asnonorr, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,a citizen of the United States, have invented a'certain new and useful Automatic Fire-Extinguisher, of which the follow ing is a full, clear,and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in explaining its nature, in which- Figurel is a view in elevation, with a portion broken out to show the water in the trap or cut-off. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section, enlarged, of a manner of holding the fusible plug or diaphragm.

This invention relates to means, substantiallyas hereinafter described, whereby steam is automatically allowed to escape into a room, apartment, building, or closed space by thein: crease of temperature therein above a certain limit; and it is especially adapted for use as an automatic fire-extinguisher, in connection with asteam-supply pipe.

In the drawings, A represents a pipe connected with the boiler or any steam-supply pipe, or the source of steam-supply.

B represents that portion of the pipe within the building, room, or apartment.

0 is a curve in the pipe to form the cut-off or trap, hereinafter referred to.

D is the distributing-pipe, which is perforated or provided with as many holes as desired.

E is a vertical pipe connecting the cut-oh with the distributing-pipe. Between the cutoff and distributing-pipe is arranged a diaphragm or plug of fusible metal, F, for stopping the opening in the pipe and preventing the escape of steam. This fusible plug or diaphragm melts at any desired temperature, and it can be made to melt at a very low temperature, comparatively--say or I prefer to make them so that they will fuse at a temperature of between and 200.

Theplu g ordiaphragm,of course, may be fastened in the vertical pipe in any desirable way to close the opening; and I mention as one method the use of the union-coupling F, between the members of which the disk or diaphragm of fusible metal is fastened. Any other desirable means, however, for securing the plug or diaphragm in place may be used.

In order that the steam may not come in contact with the plug or diaphragm and fuse it, the cut-off is filled with water. This may be provided by the condensation of the steam in the pipe, or in any other desirable way.

The perforated pipes, of course, may extend in any direction from the upright pipe.

The employment of steam for extinguishing fire at its early stage is very desirable, because a fire is put out quickly and without doing any essential or serious damage to the room or building or anything therein contained, the steam finding the tire and extinguishing it, whereas if water be employed it might or might not reach the fire.

The essential features are appliances for supplying and distributing the steam, and the The combination of the steam-supply pipe,

the delivery-pipe, and a fusible plug or diaphragm, and water-chamber or cut-off upon the supply side of said plug or diaphragm, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as described.

EDW'ARD H. ASHCROFT.

Witnesses:

I F. RAYMOND, 2d, W. O. Foee.

automatic device which shall be operated by 

